Emaar Properties, developer of the world’s tallest tower Burj Khalifa, on Sunday, announced the launch of Dubai Hills Mall, a family retail district located in the heart of Dubai Hills Estate, the 11 million square metres master-planned green oasis set in easy proximity to Al Maktoum International Airport and Downtown Dubai.

A regional retail and leisure destination scheduled to open late-2019, Dubai Hills Mall will have a gross leasable area (GLA) of over 2 million square feet (187,500 square metres). It will be home to more than 750 outlets including a range of ‘fast fashion’ retail and food and beverage choices featuring a wide array of restaurants and cafes.

In terms of relative size, it is more than half of the size of Dubai Mall – which has a GLA of 3.77 million square feet and slightly smaller than the Mall of the Emirates that has a GLA of 2.4 million square feet.. The developer did not disclose the investment outlay of the project.

Dubai Hills Mall will also feature four major family entertainment and leisure centres including a cineplex, a 65,000 square feet hypermarket, seven anchor retail experience stores, and dedicated parking spaces for over 7,000 vehicles. The mall will add to the lifestyle choice of residents in Dubai Hills Estate, featuring several residential communities including golf-course villas, thoughtfully designed townhouses and apartments with spectacular views.

The mall offers seamless access from Sheikh Zayed Road, Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Umm Suqeim Road and Al Khail Road. Dubai Hills Mall will also have a dedicated link to the Dubai Metro and other public transport. Active streetscapes and a vibrant boulevard, with food and beverage outlets, retail stores and an outdoor concert area define it as a family-first destination that redefines the shopping mall experience.

Abdulla Al Habbai, Group Chairman of Meraas, said: “Dubai Hills Mall is an innovative concept that will redefine the shopping malls and retail sector of the city. With the retail and trade sector contributing to about 30 per cent of Dubai’s GDP, it is important to ensure its sustained competitiveness through such lifestyle destinations that welcome visitors from around the world in addition to serving the local community. As the centrepiece of Dubai Hills Estate, a smart city of the future, the Dubai Hills Mall will bring incredible value to the mega-development and further energise Dubai’s retail sector.”

Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, said: “We are developing Dubai Hills Mall with a fresh concept where the focus is not just on providing retail and leisure choices but also for visitors to create memories and lifestyle experiences. Integrating advanced technology features with the principles of a regional mall, it will be a socially and culturally inspiring space for people, young and old, residents and visitors, to meet, connect and relax.”

“Dubai Hills Mall will stand out in the retail sector, and support the tourism and hospitality sectors through highly engaging leisure and entertainment attractions. With a choice of event venues, the mall will host year-round activities for families. Elegantly designed and thoughtfully laid out, Dubai Hills Mall’s convenient location serves several established neighbourhoods in Mohammed bin Rashid City and the catchment areas of Arabian Ranches and other lifestyle communities.”

Dubai Hills Mall will be a centerpiece of Dubai Hills Estate, one of the largest master-planned communities in the city developed by Emaar Properties as a joint venture with Meraas. It will feature a total green area of over 23 million square feet that includes a championship golf course, and a central park spreading over an area of about 1.9 million square feet. The golf course overlooks the Downtown Dubai skyline. Set around the golf course are over 4,400 villas and townhouses, and 22,000 apartments. Emaar has launched exclusive residential neighbourhoods in Dubai Hills Estate that have gained strong investor response.

Defining the value proposition of ‘where life is extraordinary,’ Dubai Hills Estate is already coming to life with significant progress achieved on the construction of villas, roads, green avenues, serene lakes and waterbodies. A welcoming Street of Dreams gives the first and full magnificent view of the lifestyle that awaits residents. Dubai Hills Mall will further add to the community by offering a strong retail and leisure offer with its appeal to be amplified further with hotels and other entertainment attractions.

Emaar Properties PJSC, listed on the Dubai Financial Market, is a global property developer and provider of premium lifestyles, with a significant presence in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. One of the world’s largest real estate companies, Emaar has a land bank of 190 million square metres in the UAE and key international markets.

With a proven track-record in delivery, Emaar has delivered around 42,100 residential units in Dubai and other global markets since 2001. Emaar has strong recurring revenue generating assets with over 690,000 square metres of leasing revenue generating assets and 16 hotels and resorts with over 3,100 rooms. Today, around 59 per cent of the Emaar’s revenue is from its shopping malls and retail, hospitality and leisure and international subsidiaries.